Other Property

Real Estate

You can make an outright gift of your property to Cooper now or through your estate, or use your property to fund a life income gift such as a trust or an annuity. You can also use one of the following techniques to activate your property as a valuable asset for Cooper while providing resources for yourself and your family. We encourage you to contact us for more information, and to discuss your plans with your advisor.

Retained Life Estate

By making a simple agreement between you and The Cooper Union, you can give your home or other property to Cooper now, and live in that property for the rest of your life. While you will still be responsible for upkeep and taxes on your property during your lifetime, you receive an immediate income tax deduction (subject to a qualified independent appraisal of your property) and peace of mind that your property will not be taxed as part of your estate.

Bargain Sale

Subject to a qualified independent appraisal, you can sell your property to The Cooper Union at a reduced cost and take a charitable deduction for the difference between the fair market value of your property and the price at which you sold it to Cooper. This kind of gift allows you to avoid a capital gains tax on the property, achieve an immediate charitable deduction, and still benefit from the sale. In addition, The Cooper Union may then use the property, or the net proceeds from its sale, to further our mission.

Securities

You can transfer a gift of stock directly to The Cooper Union, achieving an immediate charitable deduction while avoiding capital gains tax on gifts of appreciated securities. Click here to learn more.

Life Insurance Policies

Have a life insurance policy that you no longer need? You can use your policy to make a gift to The Cooper Union. If you transfer ownership of the policy to The Cooper Union and designate Cooper as the beneficiary, you are entitled to an immediate charitable deduction for income tax purposes. If you continue to pay the premiums so that Cooper can keep the policy in force, each payment may count as a deductible charitable donation. In addition, the policy will be removed from your estate, which can mean significant estate tax savings. To read about a donor who made a gift of his life insurance policy to The Cooper Union, click here.

Other property

If you would like to make a gift in kind of books, tools and other resources to The Cooper Union, contact us to learn more or to arrange your donation.

The information contained herein is not intended as legal or tax advice. We recommend that you consult with your attorney or financial advisor for questions concerning your individual situation.
 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.